How to Clean a BiPAP Machine: From Regular Maintenance to Deep Cleans

Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines are a type of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy that provides separate levels of air pressure during inhalation and exhalation. BiPAP therapy is an effective treatment for sleep apnea and other conditions, but it is important to keep your BiPAP equipment clean and well-maintained so that your therapy is safe and effective. 

Cleaning your BiPAP equipment keeps it in good condition by removing the debris, skin oils, lotion, and other contaminants that can shorten its lifespan. Dirty BiPAP equipment can also affect your health by causing skin irritation, increasing the allergens you may be exposed to, or providing conditions for bacteria and viruses to multiply. 

To help you create the right cleaning schedule for your BiPAP equipment, we’ll walk you through the four steps you should take when cleaning your BiPAP machine, mask, and tubing. You’ll also learn how to keep your BiPAP equipment clean while you’re traveling, as well as signs that your equipment is damaged and should be replaced.

How Often Should I Clean My BIPAP Machine?

Cleaning your BiPAP equipment regularly is easiest when you follow a weekly routine. The best tactic is to follow the cleaning schedule provided by your equipment’s manufacturer, but there are also generally accepted guidelines for keeping your BiPAP supplies hygienic.

Even if you follow these guidelines, you may want to clean your equipment more frequently when you’re sick, or if there is visible dirt or debris. If you have allergies, your doctor can help you decide on a cleaning schedule that works for your needs.

Prepare to Clean

The first step in the cleaning process is to familiarize yourself with the instructions provided by your equipment’s manufacturers. While many BiPAP components can be cleaned in the same way, following the manufacturer’s instructions will keep your equipment in good condition and help you avoid voiding your warranty.

Disassemble Your Device

Before cleaning, you’ll want to fully disassemble your BiPAP equipment to prevent injury and allow you to access each of the components.

1. Unplug your BiPAP machine, or remove the battery according to the manufacturer’s directions, and move your equipment away from the power source.
2. Remove the humidifier tank, pour out any water, and set it to one side. 
3. When cleaning the reusable filter, remove it from your BiPAP machine. 
4. Disconnect the tubing from both your BiPAP machine and your mask. 
5. Remove the cushion or pillows from your mask. 
6. Remove the hose connector or swivel from your mask. 
7. When cleaning your entire mask, disassemble it completely according to the manufacturer’s directions.

What You'll Need

Before you clean your BiPAP machine, you’ll want to gather your supplies: 

• A large tub, bucket, or sink with a stopper
• Mild, fragrance-free soap without moisturizing ingredients
• Warm drinking-quality water
• A small, soft brush, such as a toothbrush
• A soft, clean, lint-free towel
• A clean washcloth (when wiping your BiPAP machine)
• White vinegar (when cleaning your humidifier tank)
• CPAP wipes (if you use a memory foam mask cushion)
• Long, thin brush for tubing (optional)

How to Clean Your BiPAP Machine: 4 Simple Steps

You can think of your BiPAP machine as including the machine itself, the humidifier tank, and the reusable filter. The humidifier tank should be rinsed out after every use, and the entire machine can be cleaned weekly by following these steps.

1. Use a lightly damp washcloth to wipe down the shell of your BiPAP machine, then dry it with a clean towel. Using too much water, or any other cleaning products, can damage your machine’s electronic components. You do not have to clean the inside of your BiPAP machine. 
2. Combine 1 part white vinegar with three parts warm water, then pour this solution into the humidifier tank and let soak for up to an hour. If there is visible build-up, you can gently scrub at this with a soft brush.
3. Submerge the reusable filter in warm, soapy water and gently agitate the filter with your hands. 
4. Thoroughly rinse both the humidifier tank and the reusable filter with clean water, then leave both to dry on a clean towel out of direct sunlight.

How to Clean Your BiPAP Mask: 4 Simple Steps

Wearing and breathing through your BiPAP mask every night can cause a build-up of skin oils, bacteria, and debris. This is why it’s important to clean your cushion or pillows daily, rinse your swivel or hose connector after every use, and clean your entire mask at least once a week. 

As with all BiPAP equipment, you should double-check the manufacturer’s cleaning directions before following these steps. Memory foam mask cushions, for example, cannot be submerged and should be cleaned by wiping them down with CPAP wipes. 

1. Most BiPAP mask components can be cleaned by submerging them in warm, soapy water and agitating them gently. 
2. You may want to use a soft brush to scrub areas, such as vents, that are prone to build-up. Fabric headgear can also benefit from gentle scrubbing. 
3. Rinse the mask components in clean, running water until there is no soap or residue left. 
4. Gently squeeze out excess water from any fabric pieces, then spread the components out to dry on a clean towel out of direct sunlight.

How to Clean Your BiPAP Tubing: 4 Simple Steps

Rinsing your BiPAP tubing daily and cleaning it weekly will help keep it hygienic and in good condition.

How you clean your BiPAP tubing will depend on whether it is standard tubing or a heated hose. While you can use our advice to clean standard tubing, heated hoses and other specialty tubing can only be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

1. Submerge the tubing in warm, soapy water until it is entirely full of water and no air pockets remain. If you wish to let your tubing soak for a short period, you can weigh it down with a clean plate. 
2. If you wish or your manufacturer recommends it, you can use a long, thin brush to clean build-up from inside the tubing. 
3. Rinse the outside of the tubing, then angle the opening of the tubing under a stream of running water so that the water runs through it. Continue rinsing until all residue is gone. 
4. Arrange the tubing in a single layer on a clean towel out of direct sunlight, or hang it up on a shower rail or coat hanger, then leave to dry completely before using.

When to Replace Parts Instead of Cleaning

While your BiPAP machine itself may last for many years, all other BiPAP supplies have a much shorter lifespan. Regular cleaning can help keep your equipment from breaking down prematurely, but you should still follow a replacement schedule and inspect your equipment during cleaning to make sure they are still in good condition. 

Signs that a BiPAP part or BiPAP mask component should be replaced include:

• Discoloration or visible marks that remain after cleaning
• Cracks, tears, or holes
• Unpleasant odor that remains after cleaning, or returns very soon after cleaning
• Headgear loses stretchiness or becomes stretchier
• New air leaks or other problems 

There is no single replacement schedule that works for all BiPAP equipment, since equipment can vary significantly and parts from different manufacturers may have longer or shorter expected lifespans. In addition to following the manufacturer’s advice on replacement timing, you may also need to consider how often your insurance provider will reimburse you for replacement components. 

However, many BiPAP components follow a similar suggested replacement schedule.

What Should I Do When I’m Traveling?

While it’s important to keep your BiPAP clean when you’re on the road, being far from home can make the process more difficult. You can push back your cleaning routine by several days if necessary, but for longer trips you’ll want to make plans ahead of time for how to keep your BiPAP equipment clean. 

If you’re unable to clean your BiPAP machine properly, doing what you can — such as by rinsing or using CPAP mask wipes — is better than doing nothing. And unless your BiPAP machine becomes contaminated, you should not stop using it without speaking to your doctor. 

Some ways to keep your BiPAP machine clean while traveling include:

• Looking into the availability of BiPAP supplies at your destination before you leave
• Bringing enough CPAP wipes to last your entire trip
• Using sealed bottled water to rinse or clean your BiPAP equipment, particularly if you have been warned not to drink the local water
• Packing travel-sized bottles of any cleaning products you use, such as vinegar or soap
• Using a translation app to find soap that is gentle enough for your BiPAP equipment
• Bringing your BiPAP prescription and paperwork in case you have to replace any equipment while traveling

Written by

Danielle Pacheco, Staff Writer

Danielle is originally from Vancouver, BC, where she has spent many hours staring at her ceiling trying to fall asleep. She channels her frustration into researching sleep solutions and sharing insights with fellow insomniacs. Danielle spends her downtime trying out new recipes and working off the calories on the soccer field. Danielle studied the science of sleep with a degree in psychology at the University of British Columbia